lyricist

noun

lyr·​i·​cist ˈlir-ə-sist How to pronounce lyricist (audio)
Synonyms of lyricistnext
: a writer of lyrics

Examples of lyricist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Parton later served as the composer and lyricist for the musical. — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026 The kick-off of Rush’s Fifty Something Tour marked their first shows since the devastating loss of drummer and lyricist Neil Peart in January 2020, and the first Rush concerts, period, in 11 years. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2026 During Ozzy's time with Black Sabbath, Butler was widely credited as the main lyricist for the band. — Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026 Peart, who also served as Rush’s primary lyricist, is routinely cited as one of rock’s greatest drummers. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lyricist

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lyricist was in 1875

Rhymes for lyricist

See All Rhymes for lyricist

Browse Nearby Words

lyricism
lyricist
lyricize
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lyricist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lyricist. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on lyricist

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lyricist

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All